Trump Tells Japanese Automakers To Build Cars In The US

During his trip to Japan, Trump complained about the trade imbalance between the two countries.

While speaking to business leaders in Tokyo, Trump whined, "Try building your cars in the United States instead of shipping them over".

Trump, however, acknowledged this clearly in his remarks and appeared to be cracking a joke when he asked Japanese manufacturers to build in the U.S.

In addition, CNN Money reports, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association estimates its members not only built nearly 4 million vehicles in the US last year, but that auto exports from Japan to USA have declined by almost 60 percent over the last 30 years - from 3.5 million in 1986 to just over 1.5 million in 2016.

It seems once again the president has displayed his embarrassing lack of knowledge about, well, everything - because Japanese automakers have been making cars in the US for decades.

CNN ran a fact check declaring: "Trump asks Japan to build cars in the U.S. It already does". In reality, the percentage of Japanese cars sold in the United States that are built in this country has, in the last three decades, gone from 12% to 75%. BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, just celebrated its 25th anniversary. He told Japanese business leaders that they should "try" building the cars they sell in the United States here instead of shipping them over. Several Japanese automobile industry firms have been really doing a job. (Laughter.) If you could build them. Toyota? Mazda? I thought so. Toyota? Mazda? I thought so. Come on, let me shake your hand. Thank you very much.

In January, Trump accused Japan of keeping American auto manufacturers out by putting up regulatory barriers and rigging the currency market in favor of its own brands. Contrary to popular belief, Japan does not impose tariffs on American-made vehicles, rather it imposes numerous rules on them that effectively keep American cars off the Japanese market. Volkswagen makes its Atlas SUV and the Passat sedan in Chattanooga, Tennessee while Volvo is building its first plant in SC.